ESO Magicka Dragonknight PvE Build

Table of Contents

• Skills
• Rotation
• Gear
• Passives Skills
• Race
• Mundus Stone
• Champion Points
• Consumables
• Wrap Up

Last Updated: 2023-03-23

ESO Magicka Dragonknight PvE Build is for players looking to complete solo or small group content with a well-rounded class. The ESO Magicka Dragonknight PVE build offers some hard-hitting damage over time skills in the game. The only learning curve to the Magicka Dragonknight is that it can be difficult for beginners to sustain.

Related: Top 5 Tips for Increasing Your DPS

Last updated March 23rd, 2023, update 37 and the Scribes of Fate DLC: The ESO Magicka Dragonknight PvE Build is still often used in dungeons and trials by many veteran players. In the current meta, the Dragonknight class can provide high survivability on top of great damage. We adjusted relevant item sets, Pillar of Nirn and Perfect Whorl of the Depths, along with changing the most effective parse bar and gear. The build lists a few gear options – for beginner players without access to all sets and/or DLCs and two best in-slot trial options. The champion points suggested are also assuming you want the most damage, not survivability. Adjust where you see fit, and make sure to use sets and skills that work better for your group combination and harder end-game content.

 

Magica Dragonknight Playstyle in PvE

Use the following rotation as the starter point. After, apply your buffs and cast the DoT skills on cooldown for the best, highest DPS. In total, the Damage over Time skills (DoTs) do more damage than your main spammable. Thus, they need to be cast less often and are easier to maintain, for example, The Degeneration from Mages Guild or the Barb Trap from Fighters Guild. Maintain DoTs and use your spammable skill as filler until you need to reapply the DoTS.

At certain percentages, replace your spammable with your in-class or weapon execute if you have one in this build. Executes are the skills that deal more damage the lower the health of the opponent becomes. Ideally, these are meant to replace your main spammable skill at anywhere between 35% (Radiant Oppression) all the way to 20% (Mages’ Fury). At a high level, execute skills become so strong that the lower the enemy’s health, the fewer DoTs you maintain because it does so much damage.

Use the healing skill when your health drops below 50% or the shield skill when you anticipate damage. Also, always use the suggested food and potions as they significantly increase your damage, survivability, and resource sustain.

If you run out of resources, do a heavy attack and return to your rotation. Remember that a heavy attack on off-balance enemies will return double the resources. Additionally, if you are a beginner or struggle with sustain, you can flex in the Consuming Trap skill instead of a DoT skill. The Consuming Trap gives you a flood of both resources when a target dies.

The Best PvE Magicka Dragonknight Build

In ESO, the PvE Magicka Dragonknight Build is perfect for everyone who is looking for a simple survival class with high damage. So if the fire-focused class playstyle and following “pros” is what you are looking for, this build is for you!

Pros

• Amazing DoT damage
• Easy gear choices
• Good self healing at end game

Cons

• Plays in melee
• Stationary Ultimate

Keep reading for all the details about Skills, Rotation, Gear, Passives and Champion points for the build! The Gear section will include options for Beginner, Intermediate, and Optimal set-ups, with plenty of flex options available for those still filling out their sticker books.

Video Guide

Budget Build

Skills

Front Bar (dual wield)

Front Bar Weapon Style Choices:

• Dual Wield = better passives and more raw damage due to Twin Blade and Blunt passive.
• Flame Staff = more range and hard hitting single target
• Lighting Staff = decent option on back bar for fully charge heavy attacking

Burning Talons (Morph of Dark Talons | Skill line: Draconic Power) - Massive AoE damage that teammates can use a high damage producing synergy.

Burning Embers (Morph of Searing Strike | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - Great flame damage over time that also heals you greatly.

Flames Of Oblivion (Morph of Inferno | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - This hits 3 targets every 5 seconds can be cast out of combat to build up molten whip stacks.

Molten Whip (Morph of Lava Whip | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - In update 35 the main spammable options are a bit odd, since whip now cost half stamina and half magicka plus DoTs last 24 seconds on DoT (claw/breath). Thus you'll need to build either around larger stamina pool or another sustain option with battleroar to sustain stamina. Also consider tri-potions and molten weapons for important buffs.

Engulfing Flames (Morph of Fiery Breath | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - Blast a fiery breath at enemies, dealing AOE flame damage over time. Noxious breath is another morph option because of the major breach.

Flawless Dawnbreaker (Morph of Dawnbreaker | Skill line: Fighters Guild) - The performance of DB (Dawnbreaker) is very good now that it grants massive spell damage boost of 300 for 20 seconds. Not to mention added spell damage from slayer passive. This is a great ultimate to use on front bar that’s low cost.

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Back Bar (Inferno Staff)

Back bar options:

• Inferno Staff = great all-around damage with Unstable Wall and fully charge heavy to sustain magicka
• Lighting Staff = good for beginners who lack magicka sustain because its easier to set off balance and fully charge heavy for resources
• Two Handed = incredible damage with stampede ability though hard to sustain stamina

Mystic Orb (Morph of Necrotic Orb | Skill line: Undaunted) - When in a group, the more synergies the team has, the better. With undaunted passives giving back resource every activation, and with Mystic Orbs providing huge damage it’s a must for most groups. This also aids in single target and area damage. We do recommend using Razor Caltrops in the event multiple players are running this orb so it doesn’t get redundant. The main point for Mystic is you want players to activate the synergy to give them back resources and free AoE damage. If someone else is providing, feel free to slot something else in this position.

Eruption (Morph of Ash Cloud | Skill line: Earthen Heart) - One of the strongest damage over time abilities in the game, Eruption is a must used for the Dragonknight. Not only does this do amazing damage, but it procs important passives in the Earthen Heart skill line. By using this you’ll get 10% more weapon damage and more ultimate. Consider the other morph, Cinder Storm if you need even more healing.

Harness Magicka (Morph of Annulment | Skill line: Light Armor) - The trick with the shield is to use this both reactively and pre-emptively. Meaning, when you know you’ll take a lot of damage, pop it for 6 seconds of protection. Also when you get hit, pop it first then allow your healer to catch up or your rune to heal you. For newer players I highly recommend double barring this in the exact same skill position. Meaning 3 key on PC front and back that way you don’t have to fuss with constant bar swaps until it becomes muscle memory. Consider slotting Inner Light if parsing since you won't need a shield.

Barbed Trap (Morph of Trap Beast | Skill line: Fighters Guild) - You can get minor force buff one of many ways, gear, or two commonly used abilities Barb Trap and Channeled Acceleration. Since we play in melee range, using barb trap makes the most since. Moreover slotting on our front bar increase of spell damage by 3% via slayer fighters guild passive. Another advantage is banished the wicked passive gives us ultimate when killing enemies too.

Unstable Wall Of Elements (Morph of Wall of Elements | Skill line: Destruction Staff) - Unstable does a lot of things like massive flame AoE damage and an explosion at the end. You can recast the ability to activate this explosion for a spammable AoE ability though we have sweeps. Commonly folks will use the VMA Maelstrom staff on their back bar with infused trait and spell damage glyph because it’ll proc the extra spell damage even when you swap bars. Consider this your most important back bar buff.

Standard Of Might (Morph of Dragonknight Standard | Skill line: Ardent Flame) - Powerful damage over time ultimate that also applies major defile to enemies, decreasing their health recovery and healing received. Great to use this if you’re running low on resources.

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Rotation

EASY MODE: front bar maintain embers, barb trap, engulfing flames and fill in the main spammable.

• Eruption, Flames of Oblivion, Mystic Orb
• DoT: maintain Embers, barb trap, Engulfing, whip, bar swap.
• DoT back Bar: longest to shortest on back bar, bar swap.
• Rinse and repeat

Main Rotation

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Gear

Best in Slot

Best in Slot Damage for group PvE

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	medium	Zaan	Divines	Magicka
Shoulders	light	Zaan	Divines	Magicka
Chest	light	Perfect Whorl of the Depths	Divines	Magicka
Legs	medium	Harpooner's Kilt	Divines	Magicka
Gloves	light	Perfect Whorl of the Depths	Divines	Magicka
Boots	light	Perfect Whorl of the Depths	Divines	Magicka
Belt	light	Perfect Whorl of the Depths	Divines	Magicka
Weapon One	Dagger	Perfect Whorl of the Depths	Nirnhoned >Precise	Fire
Secondary	Dagger	Pillar of Nirn	Charged	Poison
Weapon Two	Inferno Staff	Pillar of Nirn	Infused	Weapon & Spell Damage
Necklace		Pillar of Nirn	Bloodthirsty	Spell Damage
Ring 1		Pillar of Nirn	Bloodthirsty	Spell Damage
Ring 2		Pillar of Nirn	Bloodthirsty	Spell Damage

Desktop hover over gear for set bonuses, mobile click once for set bonuses

Zaan: Veteran dungeon Scalecaller Peak, Dragon Bone DLC.

• Why? The highest DPS monster helm currently which can out perform Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set.

FLEX OPTIONS

1. Kjalnar’s Nightmare – great single target damage ONLY one player can have this in your group.
2. 1pc Slimecraw and 1pc Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set this setup still strong, make sure you don’t hit crit damage cap.
3. Kra’gh – one pc is great for pen, two piece does good single target damage

Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set: obtained through mythic leads. You need five items/leads to complete the mythic gear piece.

• Why? overall the most DPS possible for a one-piece mythic.
• You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item Harpooner’s Wading Kilt. Location of the 5 pieces:
  • Murkmire – Wolf-Tail Sash Lead – Murkmire Foul Fishing Spots
  • Blackwood – Kothringi-Cut Leather Lead – World Boss Death Wart, World Boss Sul-Xan Ritualists
  • Shadowfen – Bog-Blue Jasper Fetish Lead – Ruins of Mazzatun Dungeon last boss
  • Shadowfen – Tide-Glass Beads Lead –  All water and alchemy nodes
  • Bal Foyen – Silverweave Cord Lead – Covenant Enemies, most likely all enemies

FLEX OPTIONS MYTHICS

1. Mora’s Whisper = Update 34, 10% critical chance for great damage boost
2. Death Dealer’s Fete = great option when taking damage

Pillar of Nirn: Obtained in Falkreath Hold dungeon, Horns of the Reach DLC.

• WHY? great proc damage set without having to light attack weave

FLEX OPTIONS BODY

1. Perfected Bahsei’s Mania = If you can manage around 20-50% magicka, you’ll get flat damage increase.
2. Perfected Mantle of Siroria = Update 35 made this popular again so consider using in parse/stationary trials.
3. Perfected False Gods = great resource sustain set.
4. Order’s Wrath = Crafted and best overall option for great damage.
5. Mother’s Sorrow = decent overland set for starters

Perfect Whorl of the Depths: obtained in Veteran Dreadsail Reef trial DLC High Isle.

• Why? one of the hardest-hitting proc sets in the game.

FLEX OPTION FRONT BAR

1. Kinras’s Wrath = good only if you can light attack weave constantly, though I have low uptime with this set.
2. Z’en’s Redress = group utility and damage for trials
3. Burning Spellweave = simple dungeon setup great front bar option

Perfected Crushing Wall: from Veteran Maelstrom Arena in Orsinium

• WHY? Increase your overall DPS massively due to wall of elements and light attack damage increase.

FLEX OPTIONS

1. Perfected Merciless Charge = must change out blockade for Stampede, considered meta, but struggle with sustain
2. Willpower = extra 2pc set

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Parse

Most single target Damage on target dummy possible

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	light	Zaan	Divines	Magicka
Shoulders	medium	Zaan	Divines	Magicka
Chest	light	Perfected Mantle of Siroria	Divines	Magicka
Legs	light	Perfected Mantle of Siroria	Divines	Magicka
Gloves	light	Perfected Mantle of Siroria	Divines	Magicka
Boots	light	Perfected Mantle of Siroria	Divines	Magicka
Belt	light	Perfected Mantle of Siroria	Divines	Magicka
Weapon One	Dagger	Perfected Arms of Relequen	Nirnhoned	Poison
Secondary	Dagger	Perfected Arms of Relequen	Charged	Fire
Weapon Two	2H Greatsword	Perfected Merciless Charge	Infused	Weapon & Spell Damage
Necklace		Perfected Arms of Relequen	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage
Ring 1		Perfected Arms of Relequen	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage
Ring 2		Perfected Arms of Relequen	Bloodthirsty	Weapon Damage

Desktop hover over gear for set bonuses, mobile click once for set bonuses

Zaan: Veteran dungeon Scalecaller Peak, Dragon Bone DLC.

• Why? The highest DPS monster helm currently which can out perform Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set.

Harpooner’s Wading Kilt Set: obtained through mythic leads. You need five items/leads to complete the mythic gear piece.

• Why? overall the most DPS possible for a one-piece mythic.
• You need 5 items to be able to create the Mythic item Harpooner’s Wading Kilt. Location of the 5 pieces:
  • Murkmire – Wolf-Tail Sash Lead – Murkmire Foul Fishing Spots
  • Blackwood – Kothringi-Cut Leather Lead – World Boss Death Wart, World Boss Sul-Xan Ritualists
  • Shadowfen – Bog-Blue Jasper Fetish Lead – Ruins of Mazzatun Dungeon last boss
  • Shadowfen – Tide-Glass Beads Lead –  All water and alchemy nodes
  • Bal Foyen – Silverweave Cord Lead – Covenant Enemies, most likely all enemies

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Budget

I use this for 100,000 gold buying strictly off traders or farming myself.

Slot	Type	Set	Trait	Glyph
Head	light	Silks of the Sun	Divines > Any	Health
Shoulders	light	Silks of the Sun	Divines > Any	Magicka
Chest	light	Mother's Sorrow	Divines > Any	Health
Legs	light	Mother's Sorrow	Divines > Any	Magicka
Gloves	light	Mother's Sorrow	Divines > Any	Magicka
Boots	light	Mother's Sorrow	Divines > Any	Magicka
Belt	light	Mother's Sorrow	Divines > Any	Magicka
Weapon One	Inferno Staff	Willpower	Charged > Precise	Flame
Weapon Two	Inferno Staff	Willpower	Infused	Weapon Damage
Necklace		Silks of the Sun	Arcane	Magicka Recovery
Ring 1		Silks of the Sun	Arcane	Spell Power
Ring 2		Silks of the Sun	Arcane	Spell Power

Desktop hover over gear for set bonuses, mobile click once for set bonuses

Silks of the Sun: obtained in Stonefalls overland zone or from guild traders.

• Why? Buffs nearly all of our damage, overland and dirt cheap!  Use Withered Hand if you struggle with sustain and healing (from Alik’r)

PROGRESSION

• Burning Spell Weave from City of Ash: work on obtaining front bar destruction staff or daggers and jewelry.  Change jewelry to bloodthirsty for higher damage and obtained charge trait or nirn/charge for dual wield setup.

Mother’s Sorrow: obtained in overland zone Deshaan or from guild traders (delves, dolmans, world bosses, chest).

• WHY? easy to obtain and works well at every stage of the game including end game trials!

PROGRESSION

• Perfected False God’s Devotion = from Sunspire: ideal of solo play with crazy sustain and mobility and decent damage.
• Perfected Bahsei’s Mania = from Rockgrove: super high DPS in coordinated groups.

Willpower: obtained through dungeon finder, imperial city area or traders.

• Why? Dirt cheap 2pc until you can obtain maelstrom weapons.

Perfected Crushing Wall: work on obtaining a back bar destruction staff (flame) from VMA for highers damage.  Get non-perfected if you cannot complete Vet or willpower on back bar.

• Why? increase the damage while light attack weaving.

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Passives

Class Passives

Weapon Passives

Armor Passives

Guild Passives

Alliance Passives

World Passives

Make sure to focus on maxing out the following passives skills as they add performance to your character:

• Class skill lines
• Armor skill lines
• Undaunted
• Fighter’s Guild (optional)
• Mage’s Guild (optional)
• Undaunted (must have)
• Psijic (optional)
• Crafting Alchemy (Medicinal Use for potion duration)
• Race
• Alliance War
• World Vampire if using

Races

Khajiit

Top tier damage due to passive critical damage bonus.

• Cutpurse
• Robustness
• Lunar Blessings
• Feline Ambush

Dark Elf

all around great if you want to switch between magicka/stamina build though lacks resources sustain.

• Ashlander
• Dynamic
• Resist Flame
• Ruination

Attributes

Mundus Stone

Thief - Increases the Critical Strike rating by 1333. With 7 Divines armor pieces: Increases the Critical Strike rating by 2167.

Champion Points

Warfare

Fighting Finesse (Slottable) - 50
Increases your Critical Damage and Critical Healing done by 4% per stage.

Wrathful Strikes (Slottable) - 50
Grants 41 Weapon and Spell Damage to your damaging abilities per stage.

Master-at-Arms (Slottable) - 50
Increases your damage done with direct damage attacks by 3% per stage.

Thaumaturge (Slottable) - 50
Increases your damage done with damage over time effects by 3% per stage.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Precision (20), Piercing (20), Eldritch Insight (20), Flawless Ritual (40), War Mage (30), Quick Recovery (20), Preparation (20), Elemental Aegis (20), Hardy (20), Blessed (20), Tireless Discipline (20), Battle Mastery (40), & Mighty (30)

Fitness

Boundless Vitality (Slottable) - 50
Grants 28 Max Health per stage.

Siphoning Spells (Slottable) - 50
Restore 300 Magicka per stage, whenever you kill an enemy.

Rejuvenation (Slottable) - 50
Grants 1.8 Health, Magicka, and Stamina Recovery per stage.

Fortified (Slottable) - 50
Grants 34.6 Armor per stage.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Tumbling (30), Mystic Tenacity (10), Hero’s Vigor (20), Shield Master (10), Defiance (20), Hasty (16), Tireless Guardian (20), Fortification (30), Sprinter (20), Nimble Protector (6), Savage Defense (30), Bashing Brutality (20), & Piercing Gaze (30)

Crafting

Steed's Blessing (Slottable) - 50
Increases your out of combat Movement Speed by .4% per stage.

Rationer (Passives) - 50
Adds 10 minutes to the duration of any food or drink that increases your character's stats per stage.

Liquid Efficiency (Slottable) - 50
Whenever you use a potion or poison you have a 10% chance to not consume it.

Treasure Hunter (Slottable) - 50
Increase the quality of items you find in treasure chests.

Flex Spot(s): If you can afford, take these passives as they add power without a slottable: Breakfall (50), Wanderer (75), Steadfast Enchantment (50), Fortune’s Favor (40), Gilded Fingers (50), & Inspiration Boost (45)

Consumables

Ghastly Eye Bowl

Type: Foods

DPS Parse: Increase Max Magicka by 4256 and Magicka Recovery by 425 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Clockwork Citrus Filet

Type: Foods

OVERALL: Increase Max Health by 3724, Health Recovery by 351, Max Magicka by 3458 and Magicka Recovery by 319 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Witchmother's Brew

Type: Foods

CHEAP: Increase Max Magicka by 2856, Max Health by 3094, and Magicka Recovery by 315 for 2 hours. (effects are scaled based on your level)

Essence of Spell Power

Type: Potions

Grants major sorcery with increases spell damage by 20% for 47.6 seconds. Grants major prophecy which grants you 2191 spell critical rating for 47.6 seconds. Restore 7582 magicka immediately. Grants you major intellect which increases your magicka recovery by 20% for 47.6. Potions have a 45sec cooldown. Make sure you have three points into medicinal use passive in alchemy crafting. (INGREDIENTS: Corn Flower, Lady’s Smock and Namira’s Rot)

Wrap Up

Additional Guides

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